This means we have the ability to maximise the potential of our natural capital, through great management and for minimal cost.
“Good quality soil is fundamental to life on earth and to New Zealand given that the primary sector makes up around three quarters of our exports,” Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said of the National Soil report, released last year, the United Nations International Year of Soil.
Soil is a living ecosystem and one handful of soil contains more microorganisms than the number of people who have ever lived on the planet.
Well-structured soils with high levels of biological activity are more productive, less prone to erosion and compaction and function more effectively as bio-filters.
Vigorous root systems and thriving soil biota are essential for the ability of crops and pasture to obtain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium and a wide variety of trace elements. Plant function is enhanced when these nutrients are obtained from soil via natural microbial pathways, rather than applied in synthetic form.
The ability to enhance a soil and plant function lies in the emerging and expanding field of biostimulants.
The biostimulant market is growing internationally at a rate of 12% a year and differs from high analysis fertilisers. This growth comes from consumer demand for good food, increased awareness of environmental pressures and a body of increasing scientific proof. Professor Joseph Kloepper of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, Alabama, in the United States, recently led a review of the scientific literature on the efficacy of biostimulants. Seaweed extracts were found to be among the most effective biostimulants.
AgriSea is NZ’s leading bio-stimulant and seaweed concentrate manufacturer. The company says it is committed to clients with ongoing research and development. AgriSea products have been trusted on NZ farms for 20 years and farmer observations are now backed by peer reviewed science.
Give the AgriSea team a call on 0800SEAWEED – they would love to talk to you about how you can get your soil working for you!
